Guest column: Family donates van to Emory Valley Center

The Samuels family of Oak Ridge opened up their hearts in a very big way to Emory Valley Center recently by donating a handicapped accessible van to the center. I had the opportunity to sit and talk to David Samuels, son of Garland and Marie Samuels, who donated the vehicle, and he provided me this great story.

“The van was bought by my dad for my mom, Marie, and used in her later years. We were all very familiar with the outreach of EVC, as my sister Jane was a former service recepient at EVC years ago. My mom advocated for those with intellectual disabilities; she served on the Board of ARC from the late 1980s through the early 1990s. In fact, she was chosen as the ARC Volunteer of the Year twice in the 1990s. Helping people who needed us most was just a part of our family culture growing up.

“When Mom passed away, Dad wanted to help and what better way than to donate Mom’s van to EVC? My family is so happy it is being put to good use and our family was able to help Emory Valley Center.”

Emory Valley Center has been helping children and later adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for some 55 years within our region.

“A generous donation like this is so appreciated,” says Jennifer Enderson, EVC president. “We are in the midst of our Capital Campaign and using our funds to help with that versus purchasing new vehicles helps EVC more than you can imagine.”

If you have a vehicle you would like to donate to a nonprofit agency such as ours, feel free to contact Robin Biloski, EVC Development Director at (865) 201-5361 or e-mail her at [email protected]. We would be glad to provide you with a tax-deductible contribution, and you can rest assured your kindness will mean as much someone as the Samuels’ donation meant to Amy.